Operating Guidelines
Version 1.20
Smart5.1 - The Technology Behind The Feature
Implementing Smart5.1 on a VIA Mainboard is made possible through a combination
of hardware and software. On the hardware side, Smart5.1 circuitry has been
designed into the latest VIA Mainboards that utilize the VIA VT1616 six channel audio
codec onboard. The VIA VT1616 is a high performance six channel audio codec
designed to meet the demands of today’s PC-based multimedia entertainment
applications such as DVD audio, MP3s and computer gaming. The software that
enables Smart5.1 is embedded into the VIA audio driver so when a technician or
system integrator is setting up a VIA Mainboard he will simply choose to enable
Smart5.1 when proceeding through the driver installation and feature selection
process. To setup a set of six channel surround sound audio speaker system
becomes as seamless as plugging the three speaker plugs in the three jack
game/audio port on the back of a VIA Mainboard.
EPIA M-Series Linux & Microsoft Driver Support
Linux Driver Support
The EPIA M-series mainboards have a very high degree of support under Linux.
Support and drivers are provided through various methods including:
•
Drivers provided by VIA
•
Using a driver built into a distribution package
•
Installing VIA’s pre-compiled driver binary
•
Compiling VIA’s driver source code
•
Installing a third party driver (such as the ALSA driver from the Advanced
Linux Sound Architecture project for integrated audio)
Full instructions for the most popular distribution packages are updated monthly and
are available for free download from the
Linux Arena
on
www.viaarena.com
The
Linux Application notes
on VIA Arena also contains further useful information to
optimize system performance, such as increasing IDE performance beyond the
capabilities of an in-built driver, measuring hard disk performance, enabling
hardware monitoring features and other practical guides such as installing CD re-
writers, enabling the USB 2.0 controller, and much more.
For OEM clients and system integrators developing a product for long term
production, other code and other resources may also be made available. You can
submit a request either through the
Developers portal
on VIA Arena, or through your
VPSD support contact. Alternatively, VIA in some circumstances will also work
towards providing a driver to suite your specific needs.
The
Linux Arena
is updated at least once per month. Other information, notes and
links to specific areas of interest can also be found on the
EPIA Mainboards driver
page
. Many OEMs and system integrators also find it valuable to discuss their
development with other Linux users in the dedicated
Linux Category
of the
VIA Arena
Forums
, which is monitored by VIA staff.
Microsoft Driver Support
EPIA M offers full support for the complete range of Microsoft operating systems.
